There's songs that could either be taken as a conversation between two people, like "The Privateers," or "Why," from a much earlier record. Or "Glass Figurine." That's my version of a relationship song.

Well, my main instrument is violin, but I think of myself as a songwriter who happens to play violin.

The way I work, I'm not a confessional singer-songwriter.

There is something comforting about going into a practice room, putting your sheet music on a stand and playing Bach over and over again.

I'm a terrible Scrabble player.

I'm into lately being a little less precious about writing and being like, "Okay, what if I just locked myself in my room, pretend that there's someone outside with a gun that's saying, 'Don't come out until you write something.'"

Playing the violin and singing and whistling are just three different ways of making sound. It's not trying to replace a band, per se. It's become a completely different thing. And it's not just simply an effect. It's just a very surprisingly intuitive thing.